Peninsula Yacht Basin is the first marina in Gig Harbor to earn a Clean Marina Washington certification. On September 11, marina owner and manager Jerry Harbaugh was awarded the 66th Clean Marina certification for his work protecting water quality and his commitment to communicating environmental best management practices to boaters.
Peninsula Yacht Basin received their certification by fulfilling program requirements which included conducting operations with the goal of protecting the environment and reducing and properly managing hazardous waste. Peninsula Yacht Basin has concurrently earned a four star EnviroStars certification from the Pierce County Health Department. In the seven Washington State Counties with EnviroStars Programs, Clean Marina has coordinated the certification criteria to make sure that marinas gain recognition from both programs.
“We decided to participate in the Clean Marina program because we believe the best management practices promoted through the program enhance the boating experience for all,” said Harbaugh. “The public, boaters, and marina operators are all working together to protect the natural environment through practices which sustain our business and those involved. Summing it all up, it makes sense.”
One requirement of the program is to commit to a specific goal each year. Harbaugh decided that he and his staff will promote the Clean Marina Program in Gig Harbor through the distribution of best management practices to all his tenants. As the first certified Clean Marina in Gig Harbor, this will provide a great opportunity to reach the boating public with educational materials on environmentally responsible boating practices.
“Gig Harbor is an iconic and historic port in Puget Sound and it’s great to see the first certified Clean Marina in the harbor,” said Andy Gregory, Clean Marina Program Manager who performed the certification on behalf of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. “Peninsula Yacht Basin has done a lot of work over the last few years to earn this certification and Jerry Harbaugh has pledged to continue to spread the clean boating message to his tenants.”
Clean Marina Washington was created in 2005, and is an incentive-based
certification program in which marinas assess their operations and implement improvements to better protect the environment. When they reach the qualification standards of Clean Marina Washington they earn the right to fly the Clean Marina flag.
Clean Marina Washington is a partnership of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, EnviroStars Cooperative, Northwest Marine Trade Association, Washington Sea Grant, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Washington State Parks and Recreation. For more information on Clean Marina Washington visit www.cleanmarinawashington.org.
